The directive follows a disturbing case where a petitioner alleged he was severely beaten by police personnel within a room at a police station
The Jabalpur bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) to install CCTV cameras with audio recording capability in every room of police stations across the state. The court’s order, issued with a three-month deadline, specifies that failure to comply would amount to contempt of court.
The directive follows a disturbing case where a petitioner alleged he was severely beaten by police personnel within a room at a police station—intentionally chosen for lacking CCTV coverage. Observing this, Justice G.S. Ahluwalia noted that the incident appeared to have been “deliberately” carried out in a room without surveillance to conceal the assault.
Based on video evidence submitted by the petitioner, Justice Ahluwalia stated, “Thus, it is clear that petitioner was badly beaten by the police personnel in the presence of respondent no.5, inside the police station in a room which was not having CCTV camera. Petitioner was deliberately taken to a room because it did not have CCTV camera. Therefore, it is clear that the police personnel were intending to hide their illegal activities of assaulting the petitioner in a police station.”
In response, the court instructed the DGP to “ensure that each and every room of the police station is fitted with CCTV camera with audio facility.” The court mandated that within one month, every Superintendent of Police (SP) across districts must report to the DGP regarding any areas in police stations without CCTV coverage. All rooms and areas in each police station are required to be fitted with CCTV cameras within two months following these reports.
The High Court’s order underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability within police facilities, aiming to protect individuals and discourage any abuse of power within the police system.
